The Key is Activation

 
The journey of 1,000 miles begins with a single step. Lao-tzu

Last week we celebrated the new year. Did you make any resolutions for 2014? Part of finding better balance in life comes from creating intentions—and those new year's resolutions are based in our intentions. So why do we often find it so difficult to follow through? Because we are attempting to activate an intention without properly preparing ourselves. Actions without full awareness and alignment are simply good ideas.

Need some help with activation? Try my simple 3-step formula:

1) Awareness brings your attention to the critical factors affecting your balance;
2) Alignment helps focus your energy internally and externally; and
3) Activation puts theory into practice and ideas into motion. Activation is the key to implementation and a critical step to finding better balance.

As you become more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and intuition, you'll be able to take action on them, knowing that the internal nudge is coming from your deeper purpose and authentic self. Learning to connect with yourself is learning how to "begin within".

Focusing on activation helps us make changes in our lives and reminds us that manifesting our truest purpose and our dreams both depend on our ability to take action.

Happy New Year!

Michael Thomas Sunnarborg

Find better balance in your life, relationships, and work. 
Visit 21daystobetterbalance.com to learn more.
 

Step 19: Soften Your Stance

Soften your stance to give yourself and
others more room to connect fully.

Heidi is a well-respected and powerful senior manager of a Fortune 500 corporation. She has risen to the top of every team she’s managed and is known to speak her mind when action is needed. Since she is a natural problem solver, people come to Heidi for solutions. Over the years, however, Heidi began to feel overwhelmed, and her relationships with co-workers and supervisors became difficult and stressed.

When Heidi learned she could soften her stance, she had a personal epiphany. Her natural inclination was to be vocal and outspoken, but she realized that she didn’t always need to share her thinking. Heidi realized she could pick and choose where and when to focus her energy. When she committed to not doing and saying her first impulse, others around her were able to step up. Within a month, Heidi's blood pressure went down, her happiness went up, and her relationships improved. Heidi discovered a new type of personal power. Remember that we learn the most by sharing ideas through collaboration rather than collision. 

This week, pay attention to the next time you’re asked to take action or you’re trying to get your point across. Pause, think, and try softening your stance. Notice how it shifts your energy and the energy between you and others.

To your best balanced life!

The Ambassador of Goodwill

This is an except from 21 Steps to Better Relationships. Find the rest of the message for this step and other steps for finding better balance at: 21stepstorelationships.com